In a formal event held at the National Museum in Lagos this Monday, Switzerland handed over 18 Benin Bronzes to Nigerian officials. This transfer marks another success in Nigeria’s ongoing campaign to reclaim cultural artifacts removed during the colonial era.
These items, alongside a bronze bracelet and four Ikom monoliths, were obtained by Swiss institutions including the University of Zurich’s Ethnographic Museum, the Museum Rietberg, and the Musee d’Ethnographie de Geneve. Swiss authorities confirmed the items were previously seized through criminal proceedings.
The objects originated from the Kingdom of Benin and were taken by British forces during an 1897 raid. Nigerian Culture Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa praised the return, highlighting that the bronzes demonstrate a level of artistic and technical mastery that existed long before colonial rule.
Swiss federal councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider acknowledged the painful context of the artifacts, noting they were removed due to violence and power imbalances. While museums in countries like Germany and the Netherlands have returned hundreds of pieces, many others remain abroad. Domestically, the restitution process has faced its own challenges, including disputes between the Nigerian government and traditional leaders regarding custody of the items. Despite these hurdles, Alice Hertzog of the University of Zurich stated that the bronzes should never have been in Switzerland and rightfully belong back home.
